Gyeongnam Province Eases Social Distancing to Level 1.5 After 69 Days... Reflecting Impact on Low-Income Economy

Governor Kim Kyung-soo of Gyeongnam Province Social Distancing Province-City/County Video Conference.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Saeyan] Gyeongsangnam-do will ease social distancing from level 2 to level 1.5 after 69 days.

Gyeongnam Province announced on the 13th that, following the government's social distancing adjustment plan, social distancing will be eased from the current level 2 to level 1.5 for two weeks starting from the 15th.

The province made this decision after comprehensively reviewing the decrease in confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Gyeongnam area, opinions from city and county governments, and the Life Quarantine Council, and after the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting. The economic damage to the common people caused by long-term operational restrictions on self-employed businesses was also taken into account.

The ban on private gatherings of five or more people remains in place. However, for immediate family members, the ban on private gatherings of five or more does not apply even if they are not cohabiting family members. In cases where care is needed for children, the elderly, or disabled persons, or in cases where a person is near death, gatherings of five or more people are allowed.

Operating hours restrictions for multi-use facilities such as restaurants, cafes, singing rooms, and indoor sports facilities will be lifted. However, door-to-door sales and promotional centers must cease operations after 10 p.m. Six types of entertainment facilities, including nightclubs, karaoke bars, emotional pubs, and hunting pubs, may operate until 10 p.m. if they comply with core quarantine rules.

The core quarantine rules include a maximum of 4 people per room, prohibition of moving between tables, and installation of acrylic partitions in karaoke facilities. Restrictions on weddings, funerals, and movie and performance venues have also been eased. For sports viewing, only 30% of the total capacity is allowed to enter and watch.

Religious facilities may conduct in-person services such as regular worship with up to 30% seating capacity. However, gatherings, meals, and overnight stays organized by religious facilities are prohibited.

Shin Jong-woo, Director of the Welfare and Health Bureau, said, "This adjustment is based on the quarantine rules for each social distancing level and is a decision made considering the livelihood difficulties of residents," and urged, "With the easing of social distancing, everyone must become a subject of quarantine and comply with quarantine rules themselves to prevent loosening of quarantine."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.